Folks, it's been a long, long journey. I've been busier than I've ever been in my life. But I'm back.

Where did I go? Why did I disappear for so long? Two reasons.

1. Time. I simply didn't have time, even when running EUC, to also stop and talk. I had the misfortune of being tied down constantly when I was doing EUC from 2007-2012, managing every little part of the site in the little free time I had. When I decided to step down from managing EUCantina, I also had to step away from the Star Wars community. I needed a little break (I've been active online since 2002).

2. I made mistakes. I let the reputation of EUCantina take a hit, and for that I do apologize. I did not handle situations as well as I could have - I did not intentionally fail, of course. But my decisions were not always correct. I felt distanced from EUC, as the site I had worked so hard on for six years was experiencing a negative reaction in a situation that I felt was misunderstood and slightly misconstrued. I had no good way to repair the damage. I was hurt, discouraged, and honestly, felt pretty hopeless. I needed some time off.

But I'm back now. Not to manage EUC - I've moved on to different areas of Star Wars, deciding to focus on the films, which I'm more passionate about anyway. But I still love this place. I love the interaction with you guys. So I'm going to start reading your posts again, occasionally joining in, and hopefully repairing the bonds we had.

Thank you all for reading. You are the best group of Star Wars fans in the world.

I ... honestly have no idea what situation you're talking about, but I'm glad you're back ._________________I am a Star Wars fan. That doesn't mean that I hate or love Jar Jar. That doesn't mean I hate or love Lucas, or agree or disagree 100% with him. That doesn't mean I prefer the PT over the OT, or vice versa. That doesn't mean I hate the EU, or even love all of it (or even read all of it). These are not prerequisites. Being a man is not a prerequisite. Being a geek is not a prerequisite. The only prerequisite is that I love something about Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:16 am

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Darth SkuldrenModerator

Joined: 04 Feb 2008Posts: 6563Location: Missouri

Welcome back _________________
"I believe toys resonate with us as humans, we can hold them them, it's tactile, real! They are totems for our extended beliefs and imaginations. A fetish for ideas that hold as much interest and passion as old religious relics for some. We display them in our homes. They show who we are. They are signals for similar thinking people. A way we connect with each other...and I guess thats why I do toys. That connection." -Ashley Wood

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 1:47 pm

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ReepicheepMaster

Joined: 05 Feb 2008Posts: 6956Location: Sailing into the unknown

Welcome, back, Ben! We've missed you. _________________
Where sky and water meet,
Where the waves grow sweet,
Doubt not, Reepicheep,
To find all you seek,
There is the utter east.

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:52 am

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HogyMaster

Joined: 14 Dec 2011Posts: 918Location: Nar Shaddaa

Welcome back,

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 7:45 pm

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Caedus_16Master

Joined: 15 Apr 2008Posts: 4770Location: Korriban

No idea on what the situation was, probably don't want to, but I'm just thrilled to see you return _________________Perfection is a lifelong pursuit requiring sacrifice. The only way to get it quicker is to sacrifice the most.

As long as you're not the dude that posted that stupid sexist article, we're cool._________________The absurd man thus catches sight of a burning and frigid, transparent and limited universe in which nothing is possible but everything is given, and beyond which all is collapse and nothingness. He can then decide to accept such a universe and draw from it his strength, his refusal to hope, and the unyielding evidence of a life without consolation.

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:34 am

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Darth SkuldrenModerator

Joined: 04 Feb 2008Posts: 6563Location: Missouri

_________________
"I believe toys resonate with us as humans, we can hold them them, it's tactile, real! They are totems for our extended beliefs and imaginations. A fetish for ideas that hold as much interest and passion as old religious relics for some. We display them in our homes. They show who we are. They are signals for similar thinking people. A way we connect with each other...and I guess thats why I do toys. That connection." -Ashley Wood

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:25 am

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Mara Jade SkywalkerAdministrator

Joined: 15 Feb 2008Posts: 5681Location: Beyond Shadows

Welcome back, Ben. I don't know that I'm necessarily "here" or not, but I've seriously missed you guys and have been lurking the last couple weeks. Good to see that you've returned. _________________
"It's not about the legacy you leave, it's about the life you live." ~Mara Jade Skywalker

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:16 pm

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Salaris VornModerator

Joined: 02 Feb 2008Posts: 2258Location: New York, USA

Welcome back Ben!_________________

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 2:06 am

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HogyMaster

Joined: 14 Dec 2011Posts: 918Location: Nar Shaddaa

Mara Jade Skywalker wrote:

Welcome back, Ben. I don't know that I'm necessarily "here" or not, but I've seriously missed you guys and have been lurking the last couple weeks. Good to see that you've returned.

You know you're allways welcome Mara. I hope you haven't forgotten what we do to lurkers 'round here.

Welcome back, Mara, too! _________________I am a Star Wars fan. That doesn't mean that I hate or love Jar Jar. That doesn't mean I hate or love Lucas, or agree or disagree 100% with him. That doesn't mean I prefer the PT over the OT, or vice versa. That doesn't mean I hate the EU, or even love all of it (or even read all of it). These are not prerequisites. Being a man is not a prerequisite. Being a geek is not a prerequisite. The only prerequisite is that I love something about Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan.

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:16 am

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Old Master BenAdministrator

Joined: 10 Nov 2007Posts: 2259Location: Georgia

Dog-Poop_Walker wrote:

As long as you're not the dude that posted that stupid sexist article, we're cool.

No, I'm not that dude. But if I was, I'd expect us to be cool anyway. This isn't a forum for people who feel like holding grudges. People make mistakes and I give second chances. If said "dude" did ever want to post on here, I'd expect him to be treated the same way you treat any other member.

Last edited by Old Master Ben on Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:18 am; edited 1 time in total

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:17 am

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Old Master BenAdministrator

Joined: 10 Nov 2007Posts: 2259Location: Georgia

Mara Jade Skywalker wrote:

Welcome back, Ben. I don't know that I'm necessarily "here" or not, but I've seriously missed you guys and have been lurking the last couple weeks. Good to see that you've returned.

Hey Mara! I saw that you left a while ago - please come back and join everyone when you can! I know they all miss you greatly!